Star of India set sail from its berth at Maritime Museum of San Diego last weekend to cruise out around the Point and into the Pacific Ocean. Hundreds of onlookers lined Shelter Island, Harbor Island and Cabrillo National Monument to watch the world’s oldest active sailing ship maneuver through the Bay.
Star of India, built in 1863, has circumnavigated the globe 21 times, but last weekend, it set sail for the first time in five years.
Last Saturday and Sunday, with cooperating winds, San Diegans and visitors gathered on the shorelines of Shelter and Harbor islands to watch Star of India move through San Diego Bay until reaching a position two to three miles west of Point Loma. At that juncture, Star of India proceeded under sail and performed maneuvers.
To add to the onlooker’s excitement (and photo opportunities), the Californian, America, and San Salvador sailed in close company with Star of India as it cruised back into San Diego Bay both days.
Star of India first came to the City of San Diego in 1927. It was not until 1951 when Maritime Museum of San Diego made long-awaited historical renovations to the vessel, originally named Euterpe, after the Greek goddess of music and poetry. Star of India relies on Maritime Museum of San Diego volunteers and staff for her upkeep.
Star of India is the oldest iron-hulled merchant ship still afloat. She was launched as the fully-rigged ship Euterpe at Ramsey Shipyard on the Isle of Man in 1863.
Euterpe began her working life with two near-disastrous voyages to India. On her first trip, she suffered a collision and a mutiny. On her second, a cyclone caught Euterpe in the Bay of Bengal, and with her topmasts cut away, she barely made port. Shortly afterward, her first captain died on board and was buried at sea.
After such misfortunes, Euterpe would eventually make four more voyages to India as a cargo ship.
In 1871 she was purchased by the Shaw Savill line of London and for the next quarter century she transported hundreds of emigrants to New Zealand and Australia. During this period, she made twenty-one circumnavigations. It was rugged voyaging, with the little iron ship battling through terrific gales, “laboring and rolling in a most distressing manner,” according to her log.
With the opening of the Suez Canal, and sail giving way to steam power, Euterpe would eventually be sold to the Alaska Packers Association. In 1901, her new owners changed her rig to that of a bark (her present configuration). By the time of her retirement in 1923, she had made 22 voyages from San Francisco to Alaska, returning each year with her hold laden with canned salmon.
In 1926, Star of India was sold to the Zoological Society of San Diego as the projected centerpiece for an aquarium and museum. The Great Depression and World War II saw these proposals languish from lack of funding. Eventually in the late 1950s and early 1960s, thanks to a groundswell of support from local San Diegans, Star of India was restored to sailing condition. In 1976, she set sail once again. Her preservation continues as a living reminder of the great Age of Sail, thanks to the tireless efforts of curators and volunteers at the Maritime Museum of San Diego.

Hodad’s, one of the most popular burger joints in San Diego, is delving into something new: craft-beer brewing.
The iconic Ocean Beach restaurant at 5010 Newport Ave., whose name is derived from the 1950’s beach term for surfer wannabes and claims to have the “world’s best burger,” announced on Nov. 11 its latest venture into craft brewing. Those new brews are now available at all Hodad’s locations including Ocean Beach, downtown at 945 Broadway Ave., and in its locations in Petco Park during Padres games.
Jeremy Diem, Hodad’s president/CEO, said the crafting concept has been brewing for a couple of years. He said Hodad’s hops is the brainchild of an employee, cook Marlow Myrmo, who had been home-brewing.
“[Myrmo] came up to me and owner Shane Hardin and asked if we wanted to try some of his beer,” Diem said. “We said, ‘You bet.’ Once we’d had some we said, ‘Damn, this is good.’”
Diem quipped that after tossing back a couple more of Myrmo’s best, the idea of creating their own brewskis became even more attractive. “Who doesn’t love a burger and a beer?” he asked.
Then came a search for a proper brewing venue. Hodad’s existing locations are way too small to house the huge vats required, but a perfect spot was finally found on Aero Drive off Ruffin Road in Kearny Mesa.
“The landlord gave us a great deal,” said Diem, adding Hodad’s has also successfully negotiated a deal with the Sycuan Indian Reservation, to have brewery outlets incorporated into the tribe’s planned $230 million expansion of its existing East County hotel and casino.
Diem said there are no plans at present for tasting rooms, just to have Hodad’s brews sold in its own restaurant outlets.
Begun in 1969, Hodad’s, originally located on the beach at the end of Santa Monica Avenue, was purchased, both business and name, by Byron and Virginia Hardin. In 1991, after several moves, Hodad’s opened at its present location on Newport Avenue in the heart of Ocean Beach.
Two other locations, at 10th and Broadway in downtown San Diego and seasonally inside Petco Park, were opened later by burger legend Mike (Bossman) Hardin, who was known for having his moniker tattooed on his knuckles.
“Part of our success is that people see how genuine it is,” Bossman told the Peninsula Beacon in a feature story about the secret of his burger’s success. He counseled, “Do not ever squeeze the hamburger patty (containing all the flavorful juices). … “Most people put the patty on the bottom and all the fixings on top: That’s upside down. … “The way to do it is to put [fixings] on the bottom with the last thing being the shredded lettuce, and then you let all the juices from the burger go down through the lettuce to flavor everything.”
Bossman died of a heart attack in 2015 and the family business was passed down to his son, Shane.
The unofficial “Mayor of Ocean Beach,” Bossman was memorialized at a celebration of life at Petco Park’s Park in the Park.

Now that Mayor Kevin Faulconer has sanctioned forming a new joint-powers entity to purchase electrical power to achieve 100 percent renewable energy citywide by 2035, the question becomes: How will that be implemented, and what are the risks?
After three years of research and analysis, Faulconer selected Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) as the preferred pathway to reach the 100 percent renewable energy goal in the City’s landmark Climate Action Plan. The proposed new CCA entity, which must first be approved by the City Council, is expected to create healthy competition benefiting San Diegans. Forming a new CCA entity is expected to lower energy costs by 5 percent or more for ratepayers, plus help the City reach its renewable energy goal by 2035 – a decade ahead of the state’s goal.
“I want San Diego to lead this region into a cleaner future,” Faulconer said. “This gives consumers a real choice, lowers energy costs for all San Diegans, and keeps our city on the cutting edge of environmental protection. We are a city where our environment is central to our quality of life and Community Choice will ensure we leave behind a better and cleaner San Diego than the one we inherited.
What is Community Choice Energy?
Community Choice Energy or Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) envisions bringing local control and freedom of choice and competition into the electricity marketplace. Currently, San Diego has only one electricity provider, San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E).
Community Choice allows cities and counties to purchase power on behalf of their residents and businesses to provide cleaner power options at a competitive price. Under community choice, SDG&E would continue to deliver the power over their power lines, provide customer service and handle the billing.
A local community choice program is designed to offer a choice of providers to create competition encouraging innovation and improved pricing.
But not everyone is sold on CCAs, like the Clear the Air Coalition, a group of business, environmental and taxpayer leaders, who advocate a cautious approach to changing San Diego’s existing electrical power distribution system.
Contacted by Beach & Bay Press, SDG&E spokesperson Tony Manolatos referenced the following story “San Diego Should Carefully Weigh the Costs and Benefits of Government-Controlled Energy” published at clearair.us, which he said “covers all the main points.”
“The City of San Diego should carefully weigh the costs and benefits of government-controlled energy before flipping the switch and moving residents and businesses into such a program,” states the story. “If the city decides to form a CCA, would it actually help San Diego reach its clean air goals faster and cheaper than current state laws require? … To date, CCAs have been reluctant to purchase long-term contracts for renewable energy, or build new facilities. As a result, CCAs mostly buy and sell existing green energy, a practice that does not create new local jobs or clean our air any faster. … The evidence indicates a San Diego CCA would not meet the city’s goal of 100 percent clean energy by 2035, or create many new jobs, but it would create risk for taxpayers, who are ultimately the backstop of any government-controlled energy program.”
Community choice proponent Tyson Siegele represents But It Just Might work.com, a clean energy advocacy group. Noting SDG&E under law is, “not allowed to oppose community choice energy,” Siegele pointed out SDG&E’s parent company, Sempra, “is not a regulated utility” and therefore is allowed to oppose community choice.
Nonetheless, Siegele noted that, “In theory, SDG&E shouldn’t lose any money if community choice happens, or doesn’t.”
But Siegele was quick to point out San Diego pays some of the highest per-kilowat per-unit rates for electricity in the state adding, “Californians have, on average, a 50 percent higher electricity cost than the nationwide average.”
Argued Siegele, “We’ve had a massive ramp-up in the number of community choice energy programs in the past five years statewide. It just makes sense to give our communities more control over where their energy comes from, and what it costs.”
But even if successful, a transition to community choice by San Diego will take some time, said Siegele. “In all likelihood, the entire process will take a little more than two years, and the shortest time it could be effect would be January of 2021,” he said.
Community Choice Energy Timeline
December 2018: Resolution of intent available for docketing at City Council.
Spring 2019: Begin formal meetings with potential JPA partners to negotiate structure and guiding principles.
Summer 2019: City Council action to officially form new JPA.
Fall 2019: JPA begins hiring staff, including CEO and CFO. Staff develops implementation plan for submittal to CPUC.
2020: JPA continues to establish operations. CPUC approval expected.
2021: CCA begins service to customers with phased-in approach throughout the year.

Hundreds of participants paddle around the Ocean Beach Pier during the 27th annual Paddle for Clean Water on Sept. 23. The event brings together ocean lovers, environmentalists and the community at large to rally around the importance of clean water in San Diego. / Photo by Thomas Melville

Dogs from Florida now available for adoption
Some of the dogs transferred to San Diego from shelters in Florida are ready to find loving homes. On Oct. 18, 93 dogs were flown to San Diego to create space at shelters in the Florida Panhandle for animals who have been displaced by Hurricane Michael. The Florida dogs are available for adoption at San Diego Humane Society’s San Diego Campus (5500 Gaines St.).
These pets are not direct victims of Hurricane Michael. They are dogs who were transported to San Diego to create room for pets who have been lost, strayed or abandoned due to the hurricane. These pets do not have owners who will be searching for them when the conditions improve.
All of the dogs will be spayed/neutered, current on vaccinations and microchipped. The available dogs can be found at sdhumane.org/pet and can be identified by the tag “#hm.” Adoptions are on a first-come, first-served basis.
Ocean Beach Historical Society program
Ocean Beach Historical Society will present “Memories that Will Never Go A way,” the 40th anniversary of the crash of PSA Flight 182, by Alexander D. Bevil, at 7 p.m. on Nov. 15 at Water’s Edge Faith Community, 1984 Sunset Cliffs Blvd.
Bevil’s presentation will be based on his recently published Journal of San Diego History article on the Sept. 25, 1978 crash of PSA Flight 182, and the effect it had – and still has – on San Diego’s collective memory. He will also discuss how the crash’s aftermath contributed to major changes in modern commercial air travel safety rules and procedures; and he will invite attendees to share their memories of that horrific day.
For the past 30 years Alexander Bevil has played an active role in identifying and preserving several San Diego historic landmarks. He is an award-winning local free-lance historian, writer and preservationist. Visit obhistory.org for information.
Ride the Point on Nov. 10
Ride the hidden, unridden, and forbidden Point Loma to support pancreatic cancer research. The Point Loma Rotary Club is holding the sixth annual Jim Krause Memorial Charity Bicycle Ride the Point on Nov. 10. The ride will start and end at Oggi’s in Liberty Station and traverse exclusive scenic bike paths and routes around beautiful San Diego.
Ride the Point has three distances to accommodate different levels of bicycling experience. The 10 mile is a relatively flat course on bike paths in Liberty Station, Spanish Landing, and Harbor Island along beautiful San Diego Bay and is perfect for cruisers, beginning riders, challenged athletes, and families. The 25 and 62 mile are street rides with exclusive routes and challenging climbs around Cabrillo National Monument, Sunset Cliffs, Ocean Beach, Mission Bay, Mission Valley, and Mission Gorge.
The public is invited to the free healthy lifestyle expo at Oggi’s in Liberty Station from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. with local vendors, music, and refreshments. For more information on Ride the Point, visit RideThePoint.org.
Point Loma Republican Women luncheon
Point Loma Republican Women Federated monthly luncheon meeting will take place 10 a.m. Nov. 14 at Point Loma Cafe, 4865 Harbor Drive. Program: Jason Gascon regarding the Nov. 6 elections and Daniel Piedra from Freedom of Conscience Defense Fund speaking on CAIR and SDUSD. A no-host lunch following. Call Marilyn at 619-222-9532 for additional information.
Alternative Christmas Fair
Westminster Presbyterian Church, at 3598 Talbot St., will hold an Alternative Christmas Fair to benefit Westminster’s supported missions 11:15 a.m. to 1 p.m.on Sunday, Nov. 18 on the church courtyard. Items for sale include handmade crafts, holiday cards and decorations, gift baskets of food and toiletry items, and more. Consider a non-traditional gift of a donation in the name of a loved one to a worthy project.
Participating organizations include Genesis Diez Ministries, Women’s Empowerment International (WE), the Guatemala Mission Project, Heifer International, Serve International, Friends of Los Ninos, San Diego Habitat for Humanity, Peace Resource Center of San Diego, San Diego Military Outreach Ministries, and Presbyterian Urban Ministries. Enjoy free refreshments while shopping for gifts with a purpose.
College District receives funds for Dreamer Resource Centers
The San Diego Community College District has received a $336,000 grant to create and expand programs at its three colleges to support undocumented students and their families so that more people will be able to realize their full potential. San Diego City, Mesa, and Miramar colleges are among 32 campuses throughout California that will receive support this academic year from the new California Campus Catalyst Fund.
To date, the Catalyst Fund has raised nearly $10 million for this three-year initiative, which was founded by educators, funders and advocates. The fund increases support for undocumented students and their families on campuses representing the state’s three public higher education systems: California Community Colleges, California State University, and the University of California.
“When undocumented young people are able to pursue education and careers, they can create new, brighter futures for themselves, their families, and their communities,” said Lynn Neault. “As educators, we are not satisfied with only some people doing well. Everyone should have the support, resources, and environment they need to realize their full potential.”
Fall Fest at Belmont Park
Belmont Park’s Fall Fest continues during November, Fridays through Sundays, 5 p.m. to close. In the spirit of giving, Belmont Park has partnered with the San Diego Food Bank by hosting a free-ride food drive with a donation of five canned food items Fridays through Sundays, 5 p.m. to close.
On Saturday nights in November, guests (18 and older) may sign up to compete in free pie eating contests to win a family four-pack of combo wristbands. Free entertainment will also be offered on select dates.
The park will hold a military and veterans’ weekend 5 p.m. to close November 9-12, including all day on Nov. 12. Wristbands will be half off for veterans, military and dependents with valid I.D. On Monday, Nov. 12 at Beach House, veterans can enjoy a free burger and beer with I.D.
I Love A Clean San Diego hires new executive director
I Love A Clean San Diego (ILACSD) recently announced the hire of Rear Admiral Leendert (Len) Hering Sr. USN, (retired) as the organization’s new executive director. Hering was selected for his longstanding experience in environmental sustainability and nonprofit executive management. As executive director, Hering will lead the organization toward its vision of a zero waste, litter-free, and environmentally engaged San Diego region.
Hering, a native of Portsmouth, Va., retired from the Navy in 2009 after more than 32 years of service as a surface warfare officer. As one of the Navy’s top experts in base operations and facility support, Hering built a team recognized as the best in environmental protection and sustainable innovation throughout the Department of Defense, and he received the Presidential Award for Leadership in Federal Energy Management from President George W. Bush.
In 2009, Hering joined the University of San Diego, where as vice president for Business Services and Administration, he initiated numerous sustainable measures on the campus including the installation of the largest solar system of any private campus in the country. Hering comes to ILACSD from the Center for Sustainable Energy having served as the president and executive director for five years.

Workers clear off debris as they started bluff repairs last week. Cliff reconstruction work was focused on mitigating the geologic hazard adjacent to the stairs to increase public safety and ensure beach access by emergency personnel. / Photo by Jim Grant

Emergency bluff repairs next to the Ladera Street stairs in Sunset Cliffs is finished.
Work was done quickly – and under budget.
“The emergency cliff stabilization work at Ladera Street has been completed,” said Alec Phillipp, City public information officer. “The construction work took less than one week.”
Added Phillipp, “[The City] estimates that the construction cost will be less than our initial $1.5 million estimate.”
Phillipp said the repair project was triggered when portions of the bluff collapsed onto the stairs below in February. Cliff reconstruction work was focused on mitigating the geologic hazard adjacent to the stairs to increase public safety and ensure beach access by emergency personnel.
“A geotechnical consultant was on site throughout the project to ensure that the stability of the bluff wasn’t further compromised by our work,” said Phillipp, adding, “The contractor will be paid for the time and materials used to complete the work.”
On Aug. 6, the City Council allocated $1.8 million in Regional Park Improvement Funds for the Ladera Street Beach Access Stairway Emergency Project. That stairway had been closed and chained-off since a Feb. 13 cliff landslide impaired beach access below.
The City’s decision to declare the project an “emergency,” which fast-tracked repairs, didn’t sit well initially with some nearby Sunset Cliffs neighbors who felt the community had been “left out” of the decision making loop. Some argued the project should have been required to have a full-blown environmental impact report done prior to construction.
But at least some detractors were won over by the City’s effective implementation of the project.
“The Sunset Cliffs Natural Park Council is pleased that the project was down sized and impressed by the careful, professional work on this sensitive project,” said council spokesperson Ann Swanson.
“Overall we are delighted with the response of the Coastal Commission that ensured that an environmentally sound minimal project was completed,” said Sunset Cliffs neighbor Dedi Ridenour.

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